It has been established that there shall be a hatrack picnic in Gainesville FL on labor day. I am hosting, which is rather problematic since I don't know anything about Gainesville, but I was thinking of some sort of outdoor thing, maybe a cookout, on Monday.
Who all would be interested in attending? Icarus and Cor, Rakeesh, Saudade and Andrei, zgator, kaoishin00, lupus, and who else are CFCers? Can anyone suggest venues I can call and check on? Cheaper is better, of course, since we're all unemployed and students and stuff, like. I think if there's a park with a playground and some barbecue pits or something that would be cool! Playgrounds are fun! We can all swing and climb and stuff. I can bring my advanced technology super aerodynamic paper airplane kit for us to build and test. They are supposed to be way better in flight than ordinary paper airplanes. I have been waiting to make them with someone else for maxiumum fun value.
We want to play ping pong for sure, so maybe if we were close to the UF student center we could all crash it or something. Hackysack is also a must. This may turn out to be a sports themed picnic, since it was pointed out that hatrackers tend toward sedentary games and activities (like reading), (and fencing, hah!) Whoever doesn't want to play can just watch and chat with each other and consume all the food while the rest of us are busy!
So this thread is to ask these burning questions:
1) Who is interested in coming? 2) Ideas for fun stuff to do? 3) Ideas for venues from those of you who know Gainesville? 4) Anything else in the general vicinity of the inner planetary region of Sol?
[ August 24, 2004, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
We might come . . . depends on what else we have planned for that time. I will check.
Will this picnic be little kid friendly? (I'm not so sure a University rec center would be . . . )
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Definitely little kid friendly! I see some kind of playground and park as main venue. The rec center was just an idea. It's probably not even legal for non-students to go there! And surely I will not miss meeting Mango and Banana under any circumstances! Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
I'll bring juggling bags and give free juggling lessons to anyone who wants them.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Also I'll bring an acoustic guitar so we can play and sing. We really need to write a hatrack song. I wish I were talented enough to do that. Someone else who is should give it a go. Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
I'll also bring a telescope so we can look at the planets after sunset. Star parties are so much fun! Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
Each student can have 2 guests I believe ...
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
Wauburg is fun, it would prob be a good place to have it. I checked the policy and it says each student can have 4 guests...so with kaioshinn and I there we can have 8 additional people who are not students. If there are other UF students at hatrack we can add even more people.
The one problem with that is, they are usually closed on monday's. I am not sure if they are going to make an exception for labor day though. If they are closed then we will have to find a different place
[ August 25, 2004, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Lupus ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Tentatively speaking, we're in.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
I called the lake 352-466-4112 and this is indeed the perfect spot. It's not open on Mondays, though so I propose a change to Sunday. Does that work for everyone?
4 guests per student so 5 people can get in on 1 I.D. If we have lupus and kaioshin that gives us a total of 10 guests which ought to be enough. If we have more than 10 for some reason, we will shang hai Jorge and duct tape him up and put him in the trunk to allow us 15. Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Hahahaha, actually that sounds really fun! We should do that anyway. Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
Jeez,
Diane and I will be relatively close to there, in Tallahassee ('bout a 3 hour drive) next week. We'll be booked solid with work stuff while we're there. And we'll be out of the area by Sept. 1 or 2 - and heading to Tennessee for some R&R.
Have fun! Maybe next time. Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I won't be able to make it. We left town right after the hurricane, we're leaving again this weekend to see K's friend down south, we're leaving the next weekend to see my parents and celebrate all the Sept. birthdays in the family and finally, we leave the weekend of 9/11 for a reunion type thing for K.
Sorry. I would love to do it because I miss Gainesville. If I thought I could get a decent job there, I'd live there.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
so sunday september 5th? That sounds good to me.
Now we just have to confirm how many people can come
Right now it looks like:
ak me kaioshin00 Icarus (maybe)
hopefully we can add some more people. The place is fun, they have a bunch of stuff to do on the lake...like free paddle boats, canoes, and sporting stuff.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Icarus = 4 people btw
And it's stronger than a "maybe." More like a "probably."
Any chance Chris Bridges will come . . . ?
It's kind of a haul, but I wonder if Rakeesh could make it . . . .
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Yeah, and I'm totally dragging Saudade and Andrei, too! I called them tonight. Grisha thinks he can come. He's going to come to my house first and we'll drive down together. Also Jorge is coming, he just doesn't know it yet. Bwahahahahaha I'm getting really excited now. It's gonna be so fun!
Trying to find a bigger telescope to bring than my 3.5" reflector, I've got a 12" newtonian I can bring but my car's not big enough for it!
What would be perfect is about an 8" Schmitt Cassegrain or something. I don't suppose anyone ....? Maybe I can hit up some of the astronomy club or something. That's a plan.
Also I remembered I have enough Marriott reward points for a free long weekend at a Marriott anywhere. Hee hee, legacy of 3 months in California this spring. I am so checking on the nearest Marriotts right now. We can have night-before-the-party festivities and after party recap and so on there. Posted by Shepherdess (Member # 6115) on :
I loved Lake Wauburg when I was a student at UF! Do it there if you can. There's a play ground and a place to swim for the kids, and you can sign-out (for free!) canoes or kayaks as well. Unfortunately, I now live a little too far away to help you out with my student ID.
Darn! This could have been my big chance to prove that I'm "real" according to Hatrack standards.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
*frown*
A lot of these activities don't sound that good for my kids. Keep in mind they are developmentally delayed. While they would be fascinated by a telescope for about a minute, they would not really be able to grasp what its purpose was. And I'm not comfortable taking them both in a canoe or something like that. Though I am a good swimmer, I may not be capable of dealing with both of them if something goes wrong.
I'm not trying to limit what anyone else can do. I'm just a little bit worried about what we will do while you all are doing things I'm not sure my girls are up to. They don't have a lot of patience for things that are beyond them . . .
Anyway, we will probably Priceline a room and spend the night.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Run and play and kick a soccer ball around and play beach ball and stuff like that? Think of some good activity for them there and I'll try to make it happen.
Edit: Shepherdess says there's a playground and a place for kids to swim and stuff there. Looks like we're going to the North Park. I plan to get there about 10 am near opening time and secure a good place near the water to cook and eat. Will bring a big hatrack sign to mark the spot. Hardcore guests can join us then. Casual guests are invited for 11am. Lunch will be around 11:30 or so because it rains an awful lot in the afternoons there, and there's no shelter. That should give us plenty of time to eat and socialize and play before the afternoon shower comes at 2 - 3 pm.
Menu is hotdogs and hamburgers/cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, chips of various kinds including fritos (since they burn so well in the fire pit), soda, and koolade. Will definitely cook some sort of homemade dessert(s) to bring with me. Haven't decided on what yet. If anyone wants to bring something, that will be great. Or just bring yourself, that's also great!
[ August 26, 2004, 05:49 AM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Playground sounds good. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
What is it with the explosion of Hatrack get-togethers recently?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
We were waiting until you left the country, of course!
(No, not really, but it must seem that way, neh?)
Posted by Shepherdess (Member # 6115) on :
Icarus, Life jackets come with the canoes, and are required attire, in fact. Believe me,the lifeguards don't want to be going in after you, either!
Also, the swimming area is really not deep, and is just on the shore of the lake, so even waders would have some fun. I'm sure you could use some life jackets in the swimming area if you're worried about your girls there.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
::triumphant entry::
Due to a change in plans, I will be attending your picnic! hooray! I will finally be a real jatraquero! No guarantees on how late I will stay though, as it is a long drive back home. But i shall stay later the more fun we are having. So there's some incentive for you.
ak, now you must be sure to bring saud and andrei, I am dying to meet them.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Okay, that means I have to get a phone interview this week or next from Iraq. If I do that she will come. If I get called back she said she will make a cake. The evil mistress has spoken. I told her what you said, AR. It looks like things are up to me now.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
Awww, saud doesn't love me enough to just come see me? How sad. You'd better get on with the interviewin' lady!
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
You know, aka, it DOES seem that way! *sniff*
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Yay, AR is coming and bringing a guitar! Now we have somebody who can sing.
Saudade must come now! You should tell her that too.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Just so you know, there is a home game that weekend. The chances of finding a hotel on Saturday night are probably slim to none. Sunday night should be fine.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
the game is just one of the fluff games (middle ten state) so I don't think the hotels should be all that tough...though it is a night game so it would be good to call ASAP.
Posted by from Cythera (Member # 6749) on :
I'm about an hour and a half away from Gainsville. I know I don't know many of you, but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to come!
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
We're building a lean to shelter in the woods and filling it with leaves.
Well, if our other lodging plans fall through, that is.
I've got 10 zillion Marriott Rewards points from staying 3 months in CA this spring, and there are 3 Marriott hotels in town and they're all 3 blocking out that weekend because it's a football weekend. Sucks, neh?
Hey, does anyone know the Marriotts, what ward they go to and stuff? Maybe I should invoke the awesome power of the RSnet! <laughs>
[ August 27, 2004, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Cytheria, you've GOT to come! It's going to be so much fun!
Raia, just hop on the Concorde and come on over too!
Posted by Marek (Member # 5404) on :
looks like i probably won't be able to go. Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
AvidReader, are you coming too?
Rakeesh?
Ela, JaneX, Shlomo, Narrativium? Are you going to be back in the country in time?
Please everyone, post to let us know even if you can't come. I want to be sure everyone who might make it has seen this thread. Thanks!
I talked to Jorge for a long time last night and warned him about the clear duct tape and stuff. He agreed that sounded kinda fun! Woo hoo! (Being duct taped all up by me and Saudade, I think he meant, not going to a party. He's still pretending to be antisocial about that. O.O I'm learning more shocking facts about my fiance every day! Strawberry! My goodness! And the various stories involving phalanges! <giggles>)
[ August 29, 2004, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
O_O
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Grisha, dearest, I hope you can manage to make it after all! <still hoping ... hope, hope, hope> It would be so great for you to be here with all of us! Also, what good is a Tatiana without her Grisha? That's not a good combination at ALL! Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
quote: Raia, just hop on the Concorde and come on over too!
HA! Right... got your pocketbook ready, aka, for when I send you the bill?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Icarus, are you on AIM under a new name? Or just not on right now? Was going to tell you the real story behind Jorge's shocking revelations! O.O
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Sure, Raia, sweetie! We can just charter it for you! Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Not on, right now. Hatracking between chores, such as preparing kids and present for a friend's party this afternoon. Too busy to use subjects!
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Okay, Icarus, I showed Jorge your family pictures last night and told him some about you guys. I think he's coming around and warming up to the whole idea of a hatrack picnic. As for the shocking revelations, they are hilarious! I will just wait and let him tell you himself at the gathering.
[ August 29, 2004, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Great!
um, who's Jorge?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
One of my fiances who is a UF student. You'll love him! I am trying to lure him onto hatrack, too, though he really should be studying and not wasting so much time here like the rest of us!
Oh and I must announce that there have been several requests to ban pictures at this event. The press will not be invited, and whoever brings a camera is asked to please honor the wishes of the participants vis a vis capturing their souls in little electronic boxes. We have some seriously camera shy folks here. <waves> And the evil mistress will most likely put a hex on any pixels that do manage to make it out of the park. So thanks for honoring that.
Posted by MaydayDesiax (Member # 5012) on :
I *think* Correlle and I might be able to go... Maybe Toretha too. The only problem is that we're all super-low on cash...
AK, email or IM me, so we can work some kind of loan thing out!
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
What if I simply promise not to share pictures of you without your permission?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Strike "share" and make it "take" and it's a deal!
Um hurricane may change plans a bit. If the hurricane changes the party plans, we will have it in Birmingham at my house instead. Final decision on location will be made Friday afternoon.
I have 2 more guests coming, my brother in law David and my niece Katie who started FSU this fall. They'll be in Sanford, FL and headed back on Sunday and said they'd love to stop and have lunch with us. David's great fun, too. You guys will love them!
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Okay, right now if everyone makes it who has suggested they might come, we have 20 people max. I doubt every one of these will come through, but we probably should have 4 I.D.s ready just in case. We need another UF student or 2. Anyone have any ideas?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Also if anyone is planning on bringing something foodwise, please post it here so we don't have too much overlap. I'm bringing some sort of homemade dessert. Not sure what exactly yet.
Posted by from Cythera (Member # 6749) on :
I have a bunch of friends that go to UF and would be willing to lend their IDs, only problem is that with the holiday weekend many of them will be going home. So they're not a sure thing, but a good possibility.
Count me in for veggies! ...if I can make it after all. Ack, life is so busy at the worst times.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Mmmmmm veggies!
Additions to menu:
Corn on the cob rolled in butter, wrapped in foil, and cooked on the grill.
S'mores!!!!! (Marshmallows cooked over the fire then put between Hershey bars and graham crackers to melt the chocolate.)
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
That isn't looking very good at this point. I mean I don't think it could be any closer to exact time and place of the picnic. WHO INVITED FRANCES??????
Final decision will be Friday early afternoon. If we can't have it in Gainesville it will be in Birmingham instead. Red Stickers take note! Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
grrr...that storm better go the other way
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
Silly weather, can't it see we are busy?
Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
We can play in the rain Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Our participation at this point is kind of on hold pending what Frances does. It's not looking good, though, because we are unlikely to know for sure until it's too late.
Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
It moved! We're still in the area, but it's not directly aiming for us. Hopefull it stays that way.
Nothign against the bahamas people, but we've got a picnic to host!
[ August 31, 2004, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: kaioshin00 ]
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Icarus, I have the perfect solution! House party at ak's in Birmingham all weekend long! Starting Thursday night, (or sooner, if needs be) the Last Hatrack Homely House (four bedrooms) welcomes you, Cor, Banana, Mango, and if you don't mind, could you just stop by Gainesville on your way up and pick up those two of my fiances and bring them along with you? That way everyone would be out of harm's way and Frances can't spoil our fun!
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
[ August 31, 2004, 09:29 PM: Message edited by: Icarus ]
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Oh my gosh! Those look ferocious! If they can stay inside your bedroom with door shut when not taking walks outside, they will also be quite welcome! It's okay for them to be outside on leash or lead too, for a some times during the day. Sorry I don't have a fenced in area for them.
[ August 31, 2004, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
On a related note, Frances is heading for my mother's house and isn't expected to turn at this point. She will be evacuating, because she lives near the water and is expecting 25-foot surges to hit her mobile home.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Oh no! Sveta! It's too late for her to leave? That's terrifying! <prays for Sveta's mom> She's welcome to come here if there's time. She needs to get out of there.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
As of now, it looks like Frances is determined to make it to the party.
Two more days until final decision. Party aside, I really don't like the fact that she's aimed straight for about half my family, down there, either. Saudade, Andrei, Rahul, Jorge, and everyone else in the area, are you SURE you don't want to just leave right now and come on up? Remember that once you realize you really wish you had, it's always way too late. Plenty of room here. Would be really fun enjoying all your company instead of biting my nails to the elbows worrying about you during the inevitable power outage phone outage time when you're out of touch.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
This looks terrible. Already a high Cat 4 and plenty more water between it and landfall.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Frances just loves us, I guess. She loves our whole family and wants to commune with us. After she leaves Tallahasse they think she's coming here to the Birmingham vicinity. <laughs> Grisha, are you sure you're not summoning her?
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
The maps I'm looking at show it headed straight for us.
I really don't think this one is my work.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Okay, cause like, we needed rain and all, remember? And I asked you if you could do something about that? And of course we know you're one of those protoJasonWorthing types so maybe if you could just project your wishes off into the mid-atlantic somewhere Frances would perhaps be drawn out there instead?
Posted by Marek (Member # 5404) on :
Where? I don't Frances to hit anyone, and hurt them. Besides even if you could conlude i am some how directing the storm, I am doing it completely unconsciously, so how can i possibly control where is it sent with my conscious mind? Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Have it hit someone who has insurance. Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
EAST out into the mid-Atlantic. I don't think anyone lives out there.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Now it's showing that it will still be a hurricane when it reaches Gainesville. I really think my plan where you kidnap Jaime and all come up here was a sound one. You may can even talk him into it with no alcohol or duct tape required. What are UF and FSU and FAMU saying to do?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
UF cancelled all classes on Friday. You guys should come on up right now. Hurricanes trump classes.
FRANCES REMAINS A DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 145 MPH...230 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 80 MILES...130 KM... FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 185 MILES...295 KM. SAN SALVADOR IN THE BAHAMAS IS CURRENTLY REPORTING 63 MPH...102 KM/HR.
ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 939 MB...27.73 INCHES.
STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 14 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS... ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
grr...bad storm. It canceled the football game as well. Going up north would not be easy, since the traffic will be bad due to all of the forced evacuations. Trying to use the interstates when it is not completly necissary might not be a great idea. Besides...the hurricane is likely to bring rain to most of the southeast anyway.
It might be easier to try and reschedule for another weekend...than to move it and have it rain anyway. I was actually really looking forward to a hatrack day at lake walberg.
Are there other weekends that would work well for people?
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm not in a position to plan at this moment . . .
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
(((Icarus & Family))) (((Florida)))
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Yeah, I don't see much chance of the party happening now. And it's getting late for evacuation too. If people had evacuated yesterday when I first suggested it, they would be here having fun by now, just saying. Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
Where is everyone? No one is showing up =/
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
chilling at home, rather glad that I did not have to go in to school today. Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
Why do people complain about how much the predictions of weather change over time? It's not like you can actually tell precisely where a hurricane will hit and land days before it comes in contact. The weather people do the best with what they have.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
More importantly, why continue to live in Florida?
Even more importantly, why am I still in Tucson?
Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
Florida is where the players play. Where the rollers roll. Here the surfers surf. The runners run. The voters try to vote.
Posted by from Cythera (Member # 6749) on :
as a registered Broward County voter, I find that offensive, hahahaha.
I was so excited for this weekend. Everyone be safe while we ride out this hurricane season.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
The party's been relocated here to Birmingham! We're having a great time! Where are you guys????? We really really wish you were here! <wistful smilie>
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I would love to do it because I miss Gainesville. If I thought I could get a decent job there, I'd live there.
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as a registered Broward County voter, I find that offensive, hahahaha.